BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency

There is no way Nick Foligno should be facing a suspension for nailing Panthers defenceman Keaton Ellerby at 6:37 of the second period.

After being given a five-minute major and game misconduct — because officials Tim Peel and Justin St. Pierre overreacted to the hit — Foligno is going to face an immediate review from NHL VP of safety Brendan Shanahan.

“I was disappointed that was the call,” said Foligno. “He’s coming around the net with his head down. I have to finish that play. I’m not even trying to hit him. I just noticed we were going to collide.”

Since Foligno didn’t have his elbow up or leave his feet, he shouldn’t get anything, but who knows? Shanahan has been unpredictable when it comes to handing out discipline so it’s hard to say what route he might take.

If Buffalo’s Paul Gaustad didn’t get anything for a hit that left Senators F Jesse Winchester with a concussion, then neither should Foligno.

The most he should have gotten was a minor penalty.

THE CLOCK STRIKES ZERO

Scoreboard watching at Scotiabank Place will be worth it after Christmas. In their final home game before the holiday break, the Senators bid farewell to the relic they call a scoreboard as work on the Bell HD screens made by Panasonic started shortly after the final buzzer. By the time the Senators face the Canadiens Tuesday, the four screens — five times larger — will be installed and the rest will be completed by the all-star weekend. “It’s not a sad day, that’s for sure,” said C Jason Spezza. “We’re excited to have the new scoreboard and the fans are excited. It’s great for (owner) Eugene (Melnyk) to step up and get it with some of the sponsorship they got. We’ll be happy to be able to see the replays and figure out exactly what happened on plays.” While the cameras always show players on the bench staring up the board after scoring a goal, they use it as a reference. “Even while the game is going on you’re looking at it when you can’t see parts of the ice,” said D Chris Phillips.

OFF THE GLASS

You’ve likely seen the last of C Peter Regin this season. The left shoulder he’s had surgically repaired last season and has injured three times is on the shelf after it stiffened up following the Buffalo game. Regin, who missed 22 games rehabbing the shoulder after getting reinjured Oct. 19 vs. Winnipeg, had only returned for five games. Coach Paul MacLean said Regin will have to consider surgery. “I think it’s very frustrating for Peter,” said MacLean. “It’s devastating for him. He has to make the decision that’s best for him. I know (surgery) is one of the options.” ... RW Erik Condra made the best save of the night, sweeping a puck off the goal-line behind G Craig Anderson late in the second period.

THE MORNING SKATE

There will be 19 people over for Christmas Eve dinner at captain Daniel Alfredsson’s place. Teammates Erik Karlsson and Regin will be there along with Alfredsson’s family. “We try to stick with Swedish traditions and foods,” said Alfredsson. “Santa Claus comes to our house on Christmas Eve. He knocks on the door. He doesn’t creep down the chimney.” Karlsson can’t wait to chow down. “This is my third year. It’s really exciting to eat some Swedish food at Christmas,” said Karlsson. So, what’s a traditional Swedish Christmas? “You have to go to IKEA,” joked Karlsson. “It’s hard to explain because you guys don’t have it here: A lot of potatoes, meatballs, sausage, eggs. It’s a big table. I’m glad I can eat as much as I want.” ... W Milan Michalek (concussion) won’t return until Tuesday. “I’ll get a couple of extra days and make sure I’m 100%,” said Michalek.

THIS ’N’ THAT

With Regin out and Michalek not ready, the Senators recalled F Mike Hoffman from Binghamton. He will be in the lineup Friday in Raleigh ... The Senators weren’t happy 67’s F Shane Prince, the club’s draft pick, was cut by the Americans for the world juniors. “We thought he could play at that tournament,” said GM Bryan Murray. “I know with his head and hands we felt, in a short tournament, that he would really help them.”